Barometric draft regulator



Aug- 25, 1953 E. A. FIELD 2,650,029

BAROMETRIC DRAFT REGULATdR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 8, 1950 IN VEN TOR.

ATTORA/Bf 5, 1953 E. A. FIELD 2,650,029

BAROMETRIC DRAFT REGULATOR Filed Dec. 8, 1.950 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

T] j a INVENTOR.

Edward 14. F/e/J Patented Aug. 25, 1953 resume UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BAROMETRIC DRAFT REGULATOR Edward A. Field, Mendota, 111.

Application December 8, 1950, Serial No. 199,739

13 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in barometric draft regulators.

The main objects of the invention are:

First, to provide an improved draft regulator for heaters and the like adapted to be attached to the smoke flue thereof to control heater updrafts and to by-pass the downdrafts thereby particularly adapting the regulator for gas burners in which the downdraft may either extinguish the gas flame or create improper combustion condition, such as would result in the production of carbon monoxide.

Second, to a draft regulator of the above type in which the downdraft isby-passed through the regulator to prevent extinguishment of the gas flame and creation of improper combustion conditions.

Third, to provide a regulator of the above type which may be readily and economically produced and installed and which is highly efficient in use.

Further objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A structure which embodies the features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the regulator and the smoke flue to which the regulator is attached with portions broken away and shown in section.

Fig. 2 is vertical sectional view of the regulator, showing in full lines the relative position of the parts when the control gate is in a closed position, and showing in dotted outline the relative position of the parts when the gate is opened outwardly due to a downdraft.

Fig. 3 is vertical sectional view of a detail of the regulator.

Fig. 4 is vertical sectional view of the regulator showing the relative position of the parts when the control gate is opened inwardly due to an updraft.

' The present invention relates to an-automatic draft regulator particularly adapted for gas burners for controlling both up and downdrafts.

Since a gas fire can be extinguished rather easily by a downdraft, it is essential, unless the burner has a forced draft, that somemeans be provided for by-passing the downdraft. A downdraft can extinguish the flame or create such combustion conditions that carbon monoxide gas is produced, which if it escapes into the boiler or furnace room, even in rather small quantities can be dangerous. It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a draft regulator which 2 controls the updraft and by-passes downdrafts to prevent the same from extinguishing the gas flame and creating such improper combustion condition.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed is a modification of that disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial Number 187,492, filed September 29, 1950.

Referring to the drawing showing one embodiment of the invention I designates a smoke flue and 2 a collar attached to the flue beneath the same. A ring 3 constituting a gate housing istelescoped within the lower end of the collar, and secured thereto by any suitable means not shown. Pins or studs 4 threaded into the gate housing engage the outer edge of the collar to limit inward movement of the housing. A control gate 5 is pivotally mounted in the ring or gate housing. An angle iron 6 fixedly secured to the lower side of the control gate by any suitable means and projecting beyond the opposite side edges of the gate is provided with knife edges 1 on the lower edges of the vertical flange of its projecting end portions. engage at the bottom of v-shaped recesses in the laterally projecting members 8 of the bracket members 9 secured by means of bolts l0 to the gate housing as shown in Fig. 3. This provides means for pivotally supporting the gate within the housing.

Weights II and [2 are attached to the gate by means of a screw l3, as is old in the art. By means of these weights it is possible to bring the gate into essentially a static balance, though the center of gravity of the entire assembly is purposely located just a fraction of an inch below the center line provided by the knife edges 1. This tends to urge the gate to a horizontally closed position as shown in Fig. 2.

An auxiliary weight M in the form of washers is mounted on a bolt l 5 secured to the supporting member l6 provided with hook at its upper end connected to the lower ends of bead chains H and I8. The upper end of chain I1 is connected at I9 to the gate 5 in spaced relation from its pivotal axis to the gate housing, as shown in Fig. 2. The upper end of chain (8 is connected 'to the bracket 20 secured by means of bolt Zl to the gate housing. When the gate is in a closed position or opening outwardly due to a downdraft the bracket 20 and chain l8 support the weight M. This permits the gate to freely close from an outwardly open position without raising the weight Hi. When the gate from a closed position opens inwardly due to an updraft the gate These knife edges pivotally raises the weight 14 which adds to the closing torque tending to close the gate. The chains are so adjusted that when the gate is in closed position the chains are drawn tight as shown in full lines in Figs. 2 and 3 but should the gate open inwardly due to an updraft the chain 18 becomes slack and all the force developed by the weight M is exerted upon the gate. In the event of a downdraft the chain ll becomes slack and the weight is carried by the chain 18 as shown in the dotted outline in Fig. 2. The number of washers in the weight [4 may be varied to vary the closing torque on the gate produced by the weight.

To further improve the regulation when updrafts prevail a cam shaped member 25 is provided. This member consists of a strip of sheet metal bent to a U-shape and secured by any suitable means to the lower side of the gate. The portion 26 of the member is disposed slightly at one side of the chain 9! when the gate is in a closed position as shown in Fig. 2, and does not engage the member until after the gate opens inwardly approximately 20 from its closed position. During any further increase in the inward movement of the gate the chain wraps itself around the cam shaped member as shown in Fig. 4. Since the closing torque on the gate developed by the weight iii varies according to the position of the point on the cam shaped member at which the chain commences to depend vertically downwardly from the member, it will be observed that the torque exerted by the weight varies not only according to distance the gate is opened inwardly but also varies according to the particular shape of the cam shaped member. This member being of sheet metal can be readily bent to any desired shape to produce any suitable torque.

A bafiie 2? located in the flue passage 1 adjacent the opening of the flue into the collar may be used to deflect the gases downwardly toward the control gate during a downdraft to increase the pressure against the gate to facilitate opening of the same and by-passing the downdraft to prevent the same from entering the furnace and extinguishing the gas flame or creating improper combustion conditions. This baflie is fixedly secured to the collar by means of rivets or bolts 28. A baflie 29 disposed on the outlet side of the regulator and projecting from the bottom of the flue is provided to still further restrict the flue, particularly in order to limit the amount of downdraft air which can flow back from the chimney when there is a reversal of draft. This bafiie is curved to conform to the curvature of the collar 2 and is secured thereto b means of rivets or bolts 3!]. A baflie 33 located on the inlet or furnace side of the draft control permits draft settings a little lower than is possible with a barometric control alone. By the use of this baffle it is possible to maintain a Very slight pressure above atmospheric pressure in the portion of the pipe between the draft control and the furnace, though of course down at the burner there must be a slight vacuum. Such slight vacuum is created at the burner, since the furnace acts as a miniature chimney if the outlet for the gases from the furnace is above the burner level. This baflie is curved to conform to the curvatures of the collar 2 and gate housing 3 and is disposed between them as shown in Fig. 2. A vertical slot 32 in the baffle and a headed screw 33 projecting through the slot and threaded into the gate housing permit vertical adjustment of the baflie.

The control of the embodiment of the invention above described is very sensitive in controlling the heater draft and in by-passing downdrafts. The control may be readily and economically produced and installed and ma be readily adjusted and is highly eflicient throughout a long life.

I have illustrated and described my invention in an embodiment thereof which I have found very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or -adapta tions as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a draft regulating device, a g ate housing opening downwardly, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdraft, said gate being disposed approximately horizontal when closed, weighting means on said gate, the center of gravity of the gate and weighting means being disposed vertically below the pivotal axis of the gate to effect a closing torque on the gate, an auxiliary weight for producing additional closing torque on the gate when the gate opens inwardly due to an updraft, a first chain supportingly connecting said auxiliary weight to the gate when the gate opens inwardly due to an updraft, a second chain supportingly connecting said auxiliary weight to the gate housing when the gate opens outwardly due to a downdraft, and a U-shaped member of sheet metal secured to the lower side of the gate and disposed to deflectingly and wrappingly engage said first chain when the gate opens inwardly after the first 20 of such opening movement.

2. In a draft regulating device, a gate housing opening downwardly, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdraft, said gate being disposed approximately horizontal when closed, weighting means on said gate, the center of gravity of the gate and weighting means disposed vertically below the pivotal axis of the gate to effect a closing torque on the gate, an auxiliary weight for producing additional closing torque on the gate when the gate opens inwardly due to an updraft, a first chain supportingly connecting said auxiliary weight to the gate when the gate opens inwardly due to an updraft, a second chain supportingly connecting said auxiliary weight to the gate housing when the gate opens outwardly due to a downdraft, and a cam-shaped member of sheet metal secured to the lower side of the gate and disposed to deflectingly and wrappingly engage said first chain when the gate opens inwardly.

3. In a draft regulating device, a gate housing opening downwardly, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdraft, said gate being disposed approximately horizontal when closed, weighting means on said gate, the center of gravity of said gate and weighting means being disposed below the pivotal axis of the gate to produce a closing torque on the gate, an auxiliary weight for producing additional closing torque on the gate when the gate opens inwardly due to an updraft, a first flexible member supportingly connecting the auxiliary weight to the gate when the gate opens inwardly due to an updraft, a second flexible member supportingly connecting said auxiliary weight to the gate housing when the gate opens outwardly due to a downdraft, and a member projecting from the lower side of the gate and disposed to deflectingly and wrappingly engage said first flexible connecting member when the gate opens inwardly, said last named member being of sheet metal bendable to adjust its deflecting and wrapping position relative to said first flexible member.

4. In a draft regulating device, a gate housing opening downwardly, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdraft, said gate being disposed approximately horizontal when closed, weighting means on said gate, the center of gravity of said gate and Weighting means being disposed below the pivotal axis of the gateto produce a closing torque on the gate, an auxiliary weight for producing additional closing torque on the gate when the gate opens inwardly due to an updraft, a first flexible member supportingly connecting the auxiliary weight to the gate when the gate opens inwardly due to an updraft, a second flexible member supportingly connecting said auxiliary weight to the gate housing when the gate opens outwardly due to a downdraft, and a member projecting from the lower side of the gate and disposed to deflectingly and wrappingly engage said first flexible connecting member when the gate opens inwardly.

5. In a draft regulator, a gate housing opening downwardly, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdraft, a weight, a flexible member supportingly connecting the weight to the gate when the gate moves inwardly due to an updraft, means for supporting the weight when the gate moves outwardly due to a downdraft, and means projecting downwardly from said gate and disposed to deflectingly and wrappingly support said flexible member when the gate opens inwardly due to an updraft, said last named means being of sheet metal bendable to change its supporting position relative to said flexible member.

6. In a draft regulator, a gate housing opening downwardly, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdraft, a

weight, a flexible member supportingly condownwardly from said gate and disposed to deflectingly and wrappingly support said flexible member when the gate opens inwardly due to an updraft.

7. In a draft regulator, an open ended gate housing, a pivotally mounted control gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdraft, a weight, a flexible member supportingly connecting said weight to said gate during an updraft, means independent of said flexible member for supporting said weight when the gate moves outwardly due to a downdraft, and means projecting from said gate disopsed to deflectingly and wrappingly support said flexible member when the gate moves inwardly due to an updraft, said projecting means being of sheet metal bendable to adjust its supporting position relative to said flexible member.

8. In a draft regulator, an open ended gate housing, a pivotally mounted control gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdraft, a weight, a flexible member supportingly connecting said weight to said gate during an updraft, means independent of said flexible member for supporting said weight when the gate moves outwardly due to a downdraft, and means projecting from said gate disposed to deflectingly and wrappingly support said flexible member when the gate moves inwardly due to an updraft.

9. In a draft regulator, an open ended control housing, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdraft, a weight, a flexible member supportingly connecting said weight to said gate when the gate opens inwardly due to an updraft, and a second flexible member supportingly connecting said weight to said gate housing when the gate moves outwardly due to a downdraft.

10. In a draft regulator, an open ended gate housing, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing, a weight, a flexible member supportingly connecting said weight to the gate to produce a turning torque on the gate, and means projecting from said gate disposed to deflectingly engage said flexible member during a turning movement of the gate to vary the turning torque on the gate produced by said weight, the portion of said deflecting means engageable with said flexible member to deflect the same being of sheet material bendable to any desired contour to adjustably vary the turning torque on the gate produced by said weight.

11. In a draft regulator, an open ended gate housing, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing, a Weight, a flexible member supportingly connecting said weight to the gate to produce a turning torque on the gate and means disposed to deflectingly engage said flexible member during a turning movement of the gate to vary the turning torque in the gate produced by said weight, the portion of said deflecting means engageable with said flexible member to deflect the same being of sheet material bendable to any desired contour to adjustably vary the turning torque on the gate produced by said weight.

12. In combination a smoke flue, a housin attached to the flue and opening at its inner end to the smoke flue and at its outer end opening to the atmosphere for passage of atmospheric air through the housing and into the smoke flue, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening from a closed position inwardly of the housing and towards the smoke flue for passage of atmospheric air into the smoke flue during an updraft and disposed for opening from a closed position outwardly of the housing and away from the smoke flue for passage of flue gases out of the smoke flue during a downdraft, a weight, a flexible member supportingly connecting said weight to said gate when the gate opens inwardly due to an updraft, and means separate from said flexible member to support said Weight when the gate opens outwardly due to a downdraft to render the closing torque on the gate when opening outwardly due to a downdraft less than the closing torque on the gate when opening inwardly due to an updraft.

13. In combination a smoke flue, a housing attached to the flue and opening at its inner end to the smoke flue and at its outer end opening to the atmosphere for passage of atmospheric air through the housing and into the smoke flue,

a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening from a closed position inwardly of the housing and towards the smoke flue for passage of atmospheric air into the smoke flue during an updraft and disposed for opening from a closed position outwardly of the housing and away from the smoke flue for passage of flue gases out of the smoke flue during a downdraft, a weight, means supportingly connecting said weight to the gate when the gate opens inwardly due to an updraft, and means separate from said supporting means disposed to support said weight when the gate opens outwardly due to a downdraft to render the closing torque on the gate when opening outwardly due to a downdraft less than the closing torque on the gate when opening inwardly due to an updraft.

EDWARD A. FIELD.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Findall Nov. 3, 1914 Wolf Apr. 23, 1918 Chenicek Sept. 15, 1925 Peterson Dec. 22, 1931 Lancaster Deev 20, 1932 Nyborg May 21, 1935 Linhard May 17, 1938 Stephenson Dec. 30, 1941 Field, Jr Jan. 13, 1942 Field, Jr Jan. 8, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Mar. 16, 1925 Germany June 13, 1931 

